Clunkmeister

Yup. I believe in supporting those who make good stuff.

Same thing here. I was baggage room limited in Phoenix this year.

Karim, LOL! Look8ng forward to your builds here.

Phil, I used a combination of Gaspatch, RB, and Bob’s Buckles. Mostly Gaspatch in the visible areas because they’re very 3D. I used 2 lb Maxima monofilament line for all structural rigging, and EZ Line for control lines to the tail.

THAT’S hilarious!

As much as I’ll miss the Mug-29s, these are a definite step up from a command and control perspective. As a modeler, I love the cool Mugs, but as a military guy, this makes all the sense in the world.

And the gang’s all here! Good times again!

Karim!! WElCOME, my Brother! 6ou just made my month by coming over here! OK, I’m doing the happy dance.

Martin, you know I’m all on board with Soviet subjects. I like “oddball” stuff, and Soviet flown US aircraft make some very cool subjects. La-5 and La-7 as well... I’d also like to see some expanded options for the L-39 and even the L-29 Delfin. The L-39 especially is iconic and is in every corner of the world, including all over the place in the USA, and there are so many cool schemes. Even the civilian schemes. And B-24s as well. With the Hobbyboss kits on the way, we’ll need decals.

I’m working the back channels, Peter, so I’ll see what I can manage.

Yeah, I bought 8!!!! Sets of P-51 flaps. I figured I’m good for 4 or 5 plus a buddy might want a set. The 109 stuff is superb, and the Su-35 set, well I have the perfect spot for it: on the back of my Su-35

Thanks Carl, it's coming along nicely, actually. I spent many hours fitting the main airframe before starting construction, so I expect it'll be just fine. It's definitely a Craftsman kit, no doubt, but the results are truly amazing when done.

Well hey there! Yup, it’s been on my to do list for quite awhile. I want it ready for next year’s Nats Welcome to LSM, man! It’s getting to be like old times here! You’ll love it here. Not as busy as TOS, which is good in many ways. Everyone’s laid back here, no BS, no getting stomped if your views ain’t inline with those that matter. In other words, I bloody love it!!!

Peter, HPH has their own brand of epoxy, and it’s great stuff. But it’s almost impossible to get into the Country. HPH doesn’t seem to anxious to send it.... Thankfully I have a few friends in the Czech and Slovak Republics who sent me some. Any 30 minute or 24 hour epoxy will work, but the HPH brand stuff is a bit thinner without being runny. It levels itself beautifully... Even five minute epoxy will work, but it doesn’t give you much time...

Today, a very cool package arrived in literally no time at all from a legendary Rustem Usmanov, the legendary brain and master craftsman behind A.M.U.R. Reaver, resin caster extraordinaire. If you’ve been in this hobby as a person stricken by AMS, you’ve no doubt heard of, used, or seen this man’s work. He makes resin AM accessories. He offers a multitude of parts, including corrected nose sets for the Revell of Germany G-6, drooped nozzles for the Su-35, and the truly sublime replacements flaps for 1/32 P-51s. It was the flaps I wanted, but after looking at his extensive offerings, grabbed some nozzles and the G-6 set as well. He has somehow managed to absolutely realistic oil canning into the flaps. I’ve never seen anything like it, and it just pops my mind. Carefully painted, these flaps will be a big stand out next to the smooth putties wing. (Flaps we’re not puttied) The picture doesn’t show the oil canning well, but trust me, the rivers and canning are there and it’s super subtle I highly recommend these parts if you’re builder of plastic models. Which means just about all of us.

Kielbasa then?

This kit would have you cut out the cockpit area, install an itty bitty 1/72 cockpit, and cover it with a vac canopy to be masked for windows. Whoever dreamed up that must have been chewing the locoweed, as I’m using special decals.

The 154M is a very cool jet. Very popular around the world but getting old like 727. I think Russia grounded their entire fleet after the Alexandrov Ensemble died in one a couple years ago off the coast of Sochi. Apparently the crew tried to take off without extending the flaps. They didn’t get far. But like the 727 and Trident, she’s old, loud, and definitely not green. But oh so cool in a way that no homogenized modern cookie cutter twinjet people mover could only dream of being.

That’s so cool! I remember doing similar as a kid in an ancient road grader that died beside a pipeline. But I was a Stuka pilot either over England or Stalingrad and by buddies were smacking the cab with old lumber. Kids will always be kids.

That’s 1/72 scale. A Tupolev Tu-154M. Russian airliner much like a 727 or Trident.

Crazy duck eating squirrel

This thing looks like a big bratwürst

Good to see this back on the bench. John. It’s one of those “do it once” builds, and you’re gonna knock this one clean out of the park, man!

John, you’re gonna KILL IT with that P-61. Much of the tedious is done. The interior looks fabulous!